What a great event on the day that our country celebrates its’ Independence Day and what an honor to walk in such a historical event in Evanston as it celebrated a 150-years of Independence. We walked in this parade with a new sense of freedom as we began to acknowledge what this day meant to the lives we saved. Each one should not of been at this parade. Each one had no time left, no where to go and no one left to care. But then a new future opened up when Wagging Hearts became involved. Lives were saved, one-by-one with the combined help of our foster community, volunteers and supporters who allow us to provide them with a new future. A few lives now have a new sense of independence, on a new road to freedom. This parade provided an opportunity to walk in the sunshine while looking for a new forever family amongst the many who gathered along Central Street. The colors, sounds and movements were a sight to behold as the procession moved along to the beat of the day!

Watching all the participating floats and organizations who brought their talent and energy to such a bright, beautiful day. The crowd was loud, happy and dedicated to whooping it up for a little puppy love and entertainment! Wagging Hearts brought a sea of green in the form of our volunteers, fosters, adopters and board members. Two-legged and four-legged alike. The many dogs that walked are available for adoption. We could not have been prouder, or walked taller, next to the dedicated hearts that came out to help walk our rescues. From the hearts of those who were saved and placed on the road to freedom…thank you for all you do!

We could NOT do this without each and every one of our fosters, adopters, volunteers and supporters. We hope you enjoy a look at this very special ‘Independence Day’ for our adoptables and our rescue. Happy Fourth of July sweet friends and family.

Waiting for Evanston Fourth of July 2013 Parade to begin. Places everybody!!

Sharpie, available for adoption, sitting in his puppy pen waiting for the parade to begin.

Raffles, available for adoption, and his foster sister in Fourth of July attire!!

Wagging Hearts in full effect!

Our puppies eager to begin this ride of freedom.

Puppies aplenty’ weaving in and out of our young volunteers legs as they sit in one of the puppy pens atop the float.

Kirsten carrying one of the smallest pups looking for furever love!

Foxy, available for adoption, sitting in his foster momma’s arms. Safe untill a forever family comes calling!!

Nick giving the all-clear, all-good thumbs up as the procession begins to move.

Sprinkles and friends taking a quick nap before all the excitement begins. http://wagginghearts.org/pet/sprinkles/

Sassy, available for adoption, riding her Independence Day wagon. She might not of been given the gift of sight but the crown let her know they were there in full support of Independence Day Pets!! http://wagginghearts.org/pet/sassy/

More precious pups sitting atop the float decked out in Patriot flaire.

One of our rescue pups letting everyone see what a second chance looks like.

Napping in the shade while the parade steps up in energy and motion all around.

‘I wonder who will see me, who will let me be there forever pup soon!’

A Wagging Hearts pup riding atop the float looking to connect with that special someone in need of someone to light their world on fire with happiness and joy.

Everyone deserves a break!! Looking cute is tough work.

Raffles laying low after looking cute as a button with his foster sister.

Wagging Hearts adoptables all dressed up and waiting to show off their Independence flaire.

Cookie, available for adoption, looking beautiful and soulful while trying hard not to look like she is waiting for her forever family to find her. She will make someone a wonderful companion, one only needs to look deeply into those gorgeous eyes of hers.

Ashely, available for adoption, wiggled her Patriotic ribbons hoping someone would notice her and want to make her a permanent addition to their family.

Another fashion beauty waiting to strut their stuff.

Cookie, available for adoption, looking like she knows something big is about to start. Perhaps forever love!!

Colt, available for adoption, looked like a little champion as he strutted for the crowd looking for someone to play with. http://wagginghearts.org/pet/colt/

Sweet adoption success!! A Wagging Hearts alumnist out to show support for the furfosters still in need of permanent homes.

Wrigley, available for adoption, could not of drawn more attention with his great walk, handsome face and eager disposition.

Wrigley, available for adoption, ready with a smile and a chance hope that forever love will find him.

Belle, Wagging Hearts mascot, checking out the streets to insure her furbabies will be clear for takeoff.

Luke with one of our smallest pups laying low in a wagon built for two.

Another Wagging Hearts pup looking for forever love. Can you imagine the puppy kisses you would receive!!

Luke and pup, adventures untold!

Chino, available for adoption, with his foster sister.

Chino, available for adoption, could not be cuddlier or cuter with ears that could wrap you in his love.

Chino, available for adoption, looking for a forever home.

Who wouldn’t want to greet each day with this face eager to bestow love and kisses.

A smiling pup looking for furever love.

Places everyone, places!!

Wrigley on far right, available for adoption, meeting and greeting some younger pups new to the Wagging Hearts scene.

Wrigley (far right) being kissed by Chino (middle) and Ashley (far left), all of whom are available for adoption.

Another Wagging Hearts volunteer wearing the proper festive attire and ready to go.

Could the cuteness factor being any higher!?!? Everyone prepping for the big walk.

Shhhh, squeezing in a quick nap in the lap of young, volunteer love.

Sassy (available for adoption) sitting so pretty and precious. Her lack of sight does not dimensh her zest for life or her ability to let the world swirl all around her. She is amazing.

Ashley looking very patriotic in her appearal.

This is a moment that will be imprinted on this young volunteers life and I hope she remembers the lives she helped share in hopes that they each find forever love. What an impact she is making and she doesn’t even know it..

Wiggles (available for adoption) walking with his foster momma; along with another new Wagging Hearts young pup being carried in the arms of volunteer tenderness.

Look out world, Chino is on the scene!! (Far right and available for adoption.)

Walking the walk of freedom…it never looked so good!

Luke and his foster pup sitting back and enjoying the ride.

A sea of Wagging Hearts green, walking one-by-one with the lives that have been saved.

What a beautiful sight – volunteers, fosters and adopters walking for the lives that now have freedom.

Sly on the right (available for adoption) overwhelmed but courageous on the float. He is a soul looking for tender, patient, dedicated love.

The Wagging Hearts Puppy Palace Parade float.

Adopted dogs came out to mingle and walk in support of their rescued friends.

The youngest Wagging Hearts volunteers sat in the puppy pens to take care of the youngest rescues.

We walked. We talked. We handed out tattoos. We asked for support.

Wishing all our supporters a happy Fourth of July from all of us!!

Oh how the public loved our rescues. Many flocked to the streets to touch. Cuddle or croon to one of our babies.

Sharpie, available for adoption, sitting on top of the world so he can glimpse forever love when it comes.